Supreme Court Orders Closure of Mines in Sariska

Key Points

• 1The Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government to shutter 68 mines near the Sariska reserve.
• 2The order aims to halt mining of marble, dolomite, and limestone in violation of laws.
• 3Both the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Environment Protection Act, 1986 prohibit quarrying near tiger reserves.
• 4In 1993, the SC ordered the closure of 262 mines within the protected area.
• 5The SC ordered ESZs of a minimum width of 1 km for all national parks and sanctuaries, but limited it to 500 metres for Jamua Ramgarh sanctuary.
• 6The court criticized the Rajasthan government for misinterpreting the order.